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Economy of Cape Verde vs South Korea compared: GDP & Debt

Updated on by Georank

Cape Verde has a GDP of $3.06B compared to $1.87T for South Korea, ranking 172/197 and 13/197 by economy size, respectively.

Cape Verde has $3.09B in government debt (101% of GDP), compared to $978B (52.3% of GDP) in South Korea.

Cape Verde vs South Korea GDP by year

Cape Verde
South Korea
1x
Year GDP, current $
Cape Verde South Korea
2025 $3,056,630,435 $1,872,374,961,553
2024 $2,713,721,857 $1,875,388,209,407
2023 $2,504,525,538 $1,844,800,934,392
2022 $2,247,003,344 $1,799,363,116,867
2021 $2,051,842,619 $1,942,313,560,966
2020 $1,821,565,614 $1,744,070,276,373
2019 $2,252,177,124 $1,751,045,752,055
2018 $2,205,099,507 $1,824,251,454,307
2017 $1,996,741,540 $1,710,196,756,713
2016 $1,849,789,986 $1,579,150,518,945
2015 $1,749,857,620 $1,539,212,301,136
2014 $2,041,930,125 $1,556,252,422,020
2013 $2,028,910,915 $1,434,669,686,502
2012 $1,913,081,210 $1,335,343,586,438
2011 $2,046,817,987 $1,307,103,477,219
2010 $1,824,751,468 $1,192,830,015,738
2009 $1,852,334,575 $983,065,242,417
2008 $1,959,620,648 $1,091,580,692,542
2007 $1,649,621,739 $1,220,911,904,593
2006 $1,107,571,458 $1,095,175,538,508
2005 $972,241,677 $971,740,329,984
2004 $924,940,012 $823,251,107,639
2003 $813,260,469 $728,516,494,684
2002 $620,507,387 $650,014,391,470
2001 $563,090,490 $567,564,806,235
2000 $539,227,278 $597,487,173,479
1999 $592,416,703 $515,697,079,289
1998 $521,910,561 $397,297,216,492
1997 $490,608,658 $589,202,526,424
1996 $501,979,270 $631,196,863,758
1995 $487,148,994 $586,286,469,401
1994 $406,580,652 $479,181,794,217
1993 $490,417,390 $405,705,302,846
1992 $357,160,985 $366,921,291,825
1991 $319,827,059 $340,851,946,804
1990 $306,890,963 $292,064,221,389
1989 $267,448,571 $254,236,243,100
1988 $264,308,140 $205,477,530,605
1987 $235,253,065 $152,240,393,646
1986 $190,651,168 $119,965,960,795
1985 $137,728,205 $103,764,281,281
1984 $132,019,039 $99,749,645,089
1983 $138,476,176 $89,621,208,322
1982 $140,630,679 $79,921,300,447
1981 $139,468,209 $74,287,368,087
1980 $142,246,815 $66,547,970,351
1979 - $68,083,884,298
1978 - $52,824,793,388
1977 - $39,064,462,810
1976 - $30,371,074,380
1975 - $22,126,033,058
1974 - $19,860,929,977
1973 - $14,067,523,813
1972 - $10,990,490,570
1971 - $10,005,257,131
1970 - $9,085,001,794
1969 - $7,743,940,189
1968 - $6,167,109,472
1967 - $4,895,076,718
1966 - $3,957,064,541
1965 - $3,141,131,708
1964 - $3,476,789,682
1963 - $4,007,692,308
1962 - $2,826,923,077
1961 - $2,427,244,761
1960 - $3,973,069,307

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

GDP per capita in Cape Verde vs South Korea by year

Cape Verde
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
South Korea
GDP per capita

GDP per capita, PPP
1x
Year Current $
Cape Verde South Korea
GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP GDP per capita GDP per capita, PPP
2025 $5,796 - $36,227 -
2024 $5,170 $11,195 $36,239 $61,051
2023 $4,795 $10,242 $35,674 $57,430
2022 $4,323 $9,481 $34,822 $55,509
2021 $3,971 $7,685 $37,518 $51,718
2020 $3,539 $6,853 $33,646 $47,881
2019 $4,381 $8,646 $33,827 $46,511
2018 $4,295 $7,916 $35,364 $45,511
2017 $3,893 $7,936 $33,297 $43,156
2016 $3,609 $7,351 $30,832 $41,673
2015 $3,415 $6,773 $30,172 $39,794
2014 $3,986 $6,417 $30,667 $37,032
2013 $3,961 $6,367 $28,449 $35,844
2012 $3,737 $6,318 $26,601 $35,062
2011 $4,002 $6,384 $26,175 $33,944
2010 $3,579 $6,039 $24,071 $33,120
2009 $3,660 $5,901 $19,937 $30,740
2008 $3,909 $6,011 $22,252 $31,211
2007 $3,325 $5,567 $25,078 $30,255
2006 $2,257 $4,758 $22,610 $27,972
2005 $2,004 $4,324 $20,167 $26,179
2004 $1,929 $3,969 $17,122 $24,658
2003 $1,718 $3,551 $15,212 $22,920
2002 $1,329 $3,388 $13,643 $22,173
2001 $1,223 $3,217 $11,981 $20,442
2000 $1,190 $3,124 $12,710 $19,237
1999 $1,327 $2,714 $11,063 $17,421
1998 $1,187 $2,443 $8,583 $15,500
1997 $1,134 $2,182 $12,822 $16,241
1996 $1,180 $1,963 $13,865 $15,164
1995 $1,165 $1,762 $13,002 $13,921
1994 $991 $1,540 $10,734 $12,551
1993 $1,220 $1,291 $9,180 $11,349
1992 $908 $1,186 $8,387 $10,468
1991 $832 $1,069 $7,873 $9,724
1990 $817 $1,044 $6,813 $8,567
1989 $727 - $5,989 -
1988 $729 - $4,889 -
1987 $658 - $3,658 -
1986 $541 - $2,911 -
1985 $396 - $2,543 -
1984 $385 - $2,469 -
1983 $410 - $2,246 -
1982 $423 - $2,032 -
1981 $425 - $1,918 -
1980 $440 - $1,746 -
1979 - - $1,814 -
1978 - - $1,429 -
1977 - - $1,073 -
1976 - - $847 -
1975 - - $627 -
1974 - - $572 -
1973 - - $412 -
1972 - - $328 -
1971 - - $304 -
1970 - - $281.8 -
1969 - - $245.5 -
1968 - - $200 -
1967 - - $162.5 -
1966 - - $134.4 -
1965 - - $109.4 -
1964 - - $124.2 -
1963 - - $147 -
1962 - - $106.6 -
1961 - - $94.2 -
1960 - - $158.8 -

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

Cape Verde's GDP per capita is $5,796, ranking 116/197, compared to $36,227 in South Korea, ranking 33/197. Adjusted for purchasing power (GDP per capita PPP), Cape Verde ranks 129th at $11,195, while South Korea ranks 33rd at $61,051.

Economic indicators

Cape Verde South Korea
Gross domestic product
$3.06B
2025
$1.87T
2025
GDP rank
172/197
2025
13/197
2025
GDP growth
6.3%
2024-2025
1.01%
2024-2025
GDP per capita
$5,796
2025
$36,227
2025
GDP per capita rank
116/197
2025
33/197
2025
GDP per capita, PPP
$11,195
2024
$61,051
2024
GDP per capita PPP rank
129/197
2024
33/197
2024
Government debt
$3.09B
2025
$978B
2025
Debt-to-GDP ratio
101%
2025
52.3%
2025
Government debt per person
$5,854
2025
$18,930
2025
Government debt per person rank
77/185
2025
34/185
2025
Average annual personal income after taxes
$2,506
2026
$25,661
2026
Market capitalization of domestic companies n/a
$2.76T
2025
Number of millionaires n/a
1,317,000
2026
Number of billionaires n/a
49
2026
Income share by richest 10%
32.3%
2015
25%
2021
Income share by poorest 10%
2.2%
2015
2.9%
2021
Government expenditure, % of GDP
27%
2025
24%
2025
Consumer prices inflation
2.3%
2024-2025
2.12%
2024-2025
Central bank interest rate
1.5%
2024
2.5%
2025
Unemployment rate
11.3%
2019
2.79%
2025
Population
530853
51624449

Spending and national debt comparison by year

Cape Verde
Spending

Debt
South Korea
Spending

Debt
1x
Year % of GDP
Cape Verde South Korea
Government spending Government debt Government spending Government debt
2025 27% 101% 24% 52.3%
2024 26.1% 112.8% 22.5% 49.7%
2023 25.7% 117.5% 23.1% 50.5%
2022 26.6% 127.6% 26.7% 49.8%
2021 30.8% 149.5% 24.1% 48%
2020 34.5% 149.1% 23.7% 45.9%
2019 27.5% 109.8% 21.3% 39.7%
2018 27.5% 112.3% 19.3% 37.9%
2017 28% 113% 18.6% 38%
2016 26.6% 115.6% 18.5% 39.1%
2015 28.7% 115.7% 18.8% 38.8%
2014 27.8% 105.7% 18.8% 37.9%
2013 30.9% 93.5% 19% 36%
2012 31.6% 82.9% 18.8% 33.5%
2011 30.3% 71.6% 18.3% 31.7%
2010 35.7% 66.2% 17.9% 28.3%
2009 30.6% 58.8% 19.5% 28.8%
2008 27.6% 57.5% 19.1% 25.9%
2007 27.1% 59.6% 18.8% 26.3%
2006 28.4% 66.2% 18.7% 27%
2005 26.2% 66.7% 18.2% 24.9%
2004 26.3% 67.8% 18.5% 21.6%
2003 23.4% 65.6% 17.9% 19.1%
2002 28.5% 64.7% 15.9% 16.4%
2001 24.2% 62.2% 16.9% 16.6%
2000 36.7% 71.9% 16% 16.1%
1999 35% 66.4% 16.1% 15.8%
1998 29.8% 72.9% 16% 13.8%
1997 34.8% 79.3% 13.9% 9.69%
1996 38.9% 85.7% 14% 7.81%
1995 44.5% 74.3% 13.5% 8.48%
1994 48.1% 73.4% 15.4% 9.63%
1993 - - 15.1% 10.9%
1992 - - 15.5% 11.6%
1991 - - 15.4% 11.9%
1990 - - 15.2% 12.8%
1989 - - 15% 12.4%
1988 - - 13.9% 12.7%
1987 - - 14.3% 15.3%
1986 - - 14.9% 14.5%
1985 - - 15.5% 16.2%
1984 - - 15.6% 16.9%
1983 - - 16% 19.3%
1982 - - 17.8% 20.5%
1981 - - 16.3% 18.8%
1980 - - 16.8% 18.6%
1979 - - 16.3% 15.7%
1978 - - 15.7% 18.4%
1977 - - 17.7% 20.1%
1976 - - 17% 20.4%
1975 - - 18.8% 21.5%
1974 - - 16.1% 18.6%
1973 - - 14.2% 17.9%
1972 - - 18.5% 18.3%
1971 - - 18.5% 14.5%
1970 - - 17.5% 6.95%
1969 - - 19.8% 2.63%
1968 - - 18.5% 2.76%
1967 - - 16.7% 3.74%
1966 - - 16% 4.44%
1965 - - 13.1% 6.14%
1964 - - 12.1% 6.57%
1963 - - 15.4% 9.21%
1962 - - 22.3% 13%
1961 - - 21.2% 13.4%
1960 - - 17.9% 13.7%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1960–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government spending was $827M, accounting for 27% of its GDP, while South Korea spent $449B, or 24% of GDP.

Debt-to-GDP ratio is 101% in Cape Verde and 52.3% in South Korea, ranking 23/185 and 98/185, respectively.

Government deficit by year

Deficit/surplus
Cape Verde

South Korea
1x
Year Deficit/surplus, % of GDP
Cape Verde South Korea
2025 1.06% -1.43%
2024 -1.07% -0.78%
2023 -0.28% -0.67%
2022 -4.25% -1.49%
2021 -7.51% -0.02%
2020 -9.29% -2.11%
2019 -1.62% 0.35%
2018 -2.36% 2.42%
2017 -2.63% 2.08%
2016 -2.73% 1.56%
2015 -4.16% 0.5%
2014 -6.93% 0.57%
2013 -8.49% 0.79%
2012 -9.36% 1.63%
2011 -6.98% 1.72%
2010 -9.6% 1.61%
2009 -5.32% 0.24%
2008 -1.42% 1.58%
2007 -0.86% 2.49%
2006 -4.32% 1.18%
2005 -4.69% 0.95%
2004 -2.98% 0.09%
2003 -3.63% 1.51%
2002 -6.14% 3.23%
2001 -5.03% 2.42%
2000 -15.5% 3.91%
1999 -10.9% 1.15%
1998 -3.16% 1.09%
1997 -10.2% 2.31%
1996 -11.2% 2.3%
1995 -11.1% 2.16%
1994 -12.8% 2.06%
1993 - 3.21%
1992 - 2.42%
1991 - 1.94%
1990 - 2.98%
1989 - 2.27%
1988 - 2.85%
1987 - 1.7%
1986 - 0.8%
1985 - 0.47%
1984 - 0.78%
1983 - 1.05%
1982 - -0.41%
1981 - 0.99%
1980 - 0.46%
1979 - 0.47%
1978 - -0.27%
1977 - -1.81%
1976 - -0.87%
1975 - -3.68%
1974 - -2.78%
1973 - -1.72%
1972 - -4.33%
1971 - -1.3%
1970 - -0.52%
1969 - -2.85%
1968 - -2.36%
1967 - -2.87%
1966 - -4.27%
1965 - -3.43%
1964 - -4.1%
1963 - -4.32%
1962 - -7.82%
1961 - -9.48%
1960 - -5.18%
1959 - -6.52%
1958 - -10%
1957 - -10.1%
1956 - -10.8%
1955 - -10.6%
1954 - -10.3%
1953 - -4.14%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1994–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1994, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

In 2025, Cape Verde's government surplus, the difference between spending and revenue, was $32.3M, equivalent to 1.06% of GDP. This compares to South Korea's deficit of $26.8B, or 1.43% of GDP.

Over the past 32 years, Cape Verde recorded a fiscal deficit in 31 of those years, while South Korea ran a deficit in 6 years. On average, Cape Verde posted an annual deficit equal to 5.8% of GDP, compared to surplus of 1.11% of GDP for South Korea.

Inflation comparison by year

Inflation
Cape Verde

South Korea
1x
Year Consumer prices inflation
Cape Verde South Korea
2025 2.3% 2.12%
2024 1.1% 2.32%
2023 3.7% 3.6%
2022 7.9% 5.09%
2021 1.9% 2.5%
2020 0.6% 0.54%
2019 1.1% 0.38%
2018 1.3% 1.48%
2017 0.8% 1.94%
2016 -1.4% 0.97%
2015 0.1% 0.71%
2014 -0.2% 1.27%
2013 1.5% 1.3%
2012 2.5% 2.19%
2011 4.5% 4.03%
2010 2.1% 2.94%
2009 1% 2.76%
2008 6.8% 4.67%
2007 4.4% 2.53%
2006 4.8% 2.24%
2005 0.4% 2.75%
2004 -1.9% 3.59%
2003 1.2% 3.51%
2002 1.9% 2.76%
2001 3.7% 4.07%
2000 -2.4% 2.26%
1999 4.3% 0.81%
1998 4.4% 7.51%
1997 8.6% 4.44%

Data sources: International Monetary Fund (IMF) | World Economic Outlook (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); World Bank | Economy & Growth (1997–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

Over the past 29 years, Cape Verde has recorded an average annual inflation rate of 2.31%, compared with 2.67% in South Korea. In 2025, inflation was 2.3% in Cape Verde and 2.12% in South Korea.

Top exports between countries

Cape Verde
Export category Export value
South Korea
Export category Export value
Machinery & equipment $3.24M
Chemicals & pharma $250K
Textiles & consumer goods $108K
Raw materials & minerals $76K
Wood & paper products $32K
Processed food, beverages & tobacco $6K
Metals $1K

Balance of trade

Cape Verde South Korea
Current account balance
$108M
2025
$123B
2025
Current account balance ranking
63/190
2025
4/190
2025
Current account balance, % of GDP
+3.53%
2025
+6.57%
2025
Goods imports
$1.29B
2025
$581B
2025
Goods exports
$344M
2025
$719B
2025
Service imports
$350M
2025
$185B
2025
Service exports
$940M
2025
$150B
2025
Imports of goods and services, % of GDP
53.4%
2025
40.6%
2025
Exports of goods and services, % of GDP
42%
2025
45.8%
2025

Economic freedom indices

The indices of economic freedom below are issued by the Heritage Foundation. Higher scores indicate stronger economic health.

Cape Verde South Korea
Economic freedom 71.4 73.7
Economic freedom ranking 32/197 24/197
Property rights 72.7 89.6
Government integrity 63.3 70.9
Judicial effectiveness 77.1 77.5
Tax burden 84.4 61.5
Government spending 79.5 82.6
Fiscal health 74.4 93.5
Business freedom 78.9 81.5
Labor freedom 59.5 55
Monetary freedom 80.4 79.3
Trade freedom 66.6 73
Investment freedom 60 60
Financial freedom 60 60

Economic freedom comparison by year

Cape Verde
South Korea
1x
Year Economic freedom index
Cape Verde South Korea
2026 71.4 73.7
2025 68.7 74
2024 62.9 73.1
2023 65.8 73.7
2022 66.7 74.6
2021 63.8 74
2020 63.6 74
2019 63.1 72.3
2018 60 73.8
2017 56.9 74.3
2016 66.5 71.7
2015 66.4 71.5
2014 66.1 71.2
2013 63.7 70.3
2012 63.5 69.9
2011 64.6 69.8
2010 61.8 69.9
2009 61.3 68.1
2008 57.9 68.6
2007 56.5 67.8
2006 58.6 67.5
2005 57.8 66.4
2004 58.1 67.8
2003 56.1 68.3
2002 57.6 69.5
2001 56.3 69.1
2000 51.9 69.7
1999 50.7 69.7
1998 48 73.3
1997 47.7 69.8
1996 49.7 73
1995 - 72

Data sources: The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

The Economic Freedom Index for Cape Verde is 71.4, ranking 32/197, compared to 73.7 for South Korea, ranking 24/197. The chart above displays a comparison of annual changes in economic freedom indexes.

Other economic metrics

Cape Verde South Korea
Services, % of GDP
67.9%
2025
57.2%
2025
Industry, % of GDP
10.7%
2025
34.3%
2025
Agriculture, forestry, and fishing, % of GDP
5.04%
2025
1.46%
2025
GNI, Atlas method
$2.95B
2025
$1.96T
2025
GNI per capita, PPP
$12,010
2025
$64,210
2025
Total reserves including gold
$1.26B
2025
$437B
2025
Total reserves ranking
138/177
2025
9/177
2025
Net foreign direct investment
-$130M
2025
$25.4B
2025
Net inflows of foreign direct investment
$110M
2024
$12.9B
2024
Net outflows of foreign direct investment
$20.8M
2024
$49.7B
2024
Servicing debt to the IMF, % of GNI
5.72%
2024
n/a
Poverty at national poverty lines
24.8%
2023
14.4%
2020
Gross capital formation, % of GDP
17.4%
2025
29.1%
2025

GDP per capita map

1x

Data sources: World Bank | Economy & Growth (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08); U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08).

GeoRank.org/economy/cape-verde/south-korea | CC BY

Compare countries by 7 more topics

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Data sources:

  1. World Bank | Economy & Growth (1960–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  2. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Fiscal Monitor (1990–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  3. International Monetary Fund (IMF) | Public Finances in Modern History (1953–1996, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  4. The Heritage Foundation | Economic Freedom Index (1995–2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  5. U.S. Census Bureau (1985–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  6. TradeMap (2021–2025, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  7. United Nations | World Population Prospects (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  8. LivingCost (2026, retrieved 2026-07-08)
  9. Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) (2020, retrieved 2026-07-08)

Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) — you’re free to copy, share, remix, adapt, and use even commercially as long as you give appropriate credit and clearly indicate if you made changes. Other sources may be subject to different license terms.

The current account balance is the sum of net trade in goods and services, net earnings from cross-border investments, and net transfer payments. It reflects a country's economic transactions with the rest of the world and is a fundamental component of the balance of payments. A surplus indicates that a country exports more than it imports, while a deficit shows the opposite.

Gross National Income (GNI) measures a country's total income. It encompasses income earned by residents, businesses, and foreign sources, defined as employee compensation and investment profits. GNI adds product taxes not included elsewhere and subtracts subsidies. It accounts for income from residents working abroad but excludes earnings from foreigners within the country.

A negative value for Net Foreign Direct Investment indicates a country is a net receiver of investments, as foreign inflows exceed outflows after Balance of Payments adjustments. A positive value indicates a net provider, with outflows exceeding inflows. Inflows are credits (increasing foreign claims on domestic assets), while outflows are debits (increasing domestic assets abroad).

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net inflows) shows how much capital foreign investors bring into a country after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of overseas companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in the reporting country. A positive number means more capital entered the country than was withdrawn, while a negative number means foreign investors pulled out more than they invested.

Foreign direct investment (FDI, net outflows) shows how much capital residents of a country invest abroad after accounting for any funds that flow back in the opposite direction. It represents the net value of domestic companies establishing, expanding, or financing businesses in other countries. A positive number means more capital was invested abroad than withdrawn, while a negative number means residents pulled back more than they invested.

Principal and interest payments to the IMF in currency, goods, or services on long-term debt expressed as a share of GNI.

Formerly gross domestic investment, gross capital formation measures the share of a country’s economic output invested in fixed assets, including buildings, machinery, and infrastructure. It indicates how much of the economy is devoted to building productive capacity.